INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 94, Johnson 68
Records: Florida Tech (4-1) | Johnson (3-6)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST HALF: 

• Tech jumped out to an early double-digit lead, 14-3, in just the first 3:17 of the game including a pair of threes from Sesan Russell and Sean Houpt.
• Panthers later ensued on a 10-0 run to push the margin to 26-8 with 12:59 remaining. Mekhii Noble scored 6 points during the run including a pair of monstrous dunks.
• The starters came out for Tech as head coach Billy Mims wanted to give his bench some minutes and game experience in the first half. Suns took advantage and went on a 12-2 run to cut their deficit to 30-23 with 7:36 to go in the half. 
• A three by Stephen Merritt followed by five straight points from Darragh O'Sullivan increased the Panthers' lead to 42-28 with 2:45 left on the clock. 
• Johnson closed the half scoring 8 of the final 10 points and Tech went into break leading 44-36.
• Panthers shot 50% (19-38) in the first half including 36.4% (4-11) from three and 2-2 at the line. Suns made 34.4% (11-32) from the field, 33.3% (7-21) beyond the arc and 77.8% (7-9) on free throws.  

SECOND HALF: 

• Johnson cut Tech's lead to 48-43 early in the second half but the Panthers then ensued on a 15-0 run to stretch their advantage to 63-43 with 13:46 to go. Houpt accounted for 8 points during the run. 
• Jacob Crockett knocked down a three from the wing and then followed it up with a monstrous fastbreak dunk to push Tech's lead to 86-58 with 5:35 remaining. Elias Martin then hit a pair of free throws 30 seconds later to make it a 30-point lead, 88-58.  
• O'Sullivan and Can Kaan Turgut closed the scoring for Tech to increase the lead to a game-high 33 points, 94-61, with 2:07 left. Turgut's three-ball with 2:40 to go were his first points as a Panther.
• Suns scored the last 7 points of the game and the Panthers went on to their 4th win in a row. 
• Tech shot 51.4% (18-35) from the field in the second half, including 22.2% (2-9) from three, and made 70.6% (12-17) at the line. Johnson made 32.4% (12-37) of its shots after halftime, including 31.8% (7-22) beyond the arc to go along with 1-2 on free throws. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Mekhii Noble notched his 5th double-double of the season with 18 points and 14 rebounds on 9-14 shooting.
• Sean Houpt recorded 17 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist on 7-11 from the field.
• Runako Ziegler finished with 12 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist on 4-10 shooting.
• Mate Papai had 5 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks while shooting 2-5 in the game.
• Darragh O'Sullivan tallied 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal on 3-4 shooting, including 1-2 beyond the arc.
• Sesan Russell scored 7 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal on 2-6 shooting.

COACH BILLY MIMS POST GAME Presented by Jacobus & Fielding, Injury Attorneys:


INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech finished the game shooting 51% (37-73) from the field, 30% (6-20) from three and 74% (14-19) at the line. Johnson shot 33% (23-69) in the contest, including 33% (14-43) beyond the arc, and 73% (8-11) at the charity stripe. 
• Tech outrebounded the Suns 52-26, including 16-6 on the offensive glass which led to 12 second chance points for the Panthers. 
• Panthers dominated in the paint, outscoring JU 52-10. Tech also outscored the Suns in points off turnovers (17-9), bench points (35-30), and fastbreak points (20-6). 

UP NEXT: Florida Tech is back in action this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26-27 hosting the 2021 Erdman Automotive Thanksgiving Tournament at the Clemente Center. The Panthers are joined by Morris College, Puerto Rico-Bayamon and Young Harris in this year's tournament. 
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: 
    Friday, Nov. 26
        Young Harris vs. Bayamon – 3:30 p.m.
        Florida Tech vs. Morris – 6:00 p.m.
    Saturday, Nov. 27
        Consolation Game – 1:30 p.m.
        Championship Game – 4:00 p.m.
 
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